Communications group slates Field Day

May 31, 2014

PARKERSBURG - Wood County Emergency Communications will hold its annual Field Day June 28 and 29.

Amateur radio operators will gather starting 2 p.m. Friday at Hendershot Farm Drive on Rising Sun Road, 4.5 miles on Laurel Creek Road off Old St Marys Pike. Operators will set up their antennas and radio equipment at five locations.

The 24-hour exercise ends 2 p.m. June 29, during which time operators attempt to contact as many other operators around the world as possible.

Article Photos

Photo ProvidedKen Harris, director of Wood County Emergency Communications, organizes equipment for a past Field Day. The group will hold its annual Field Day June 28-29 when operators will attempt to contact as many other radio operators around the world as possible.

A few years ago, radio operators in Wood County made contact with the space station, which was flying overhead during Field Day.

Residents are encouraged to attend Field Day and see how the communications work.

Wood County Emergency Communications was established in 1983 by Director Kenneth Harris. The organizations is a backup communications system for Wood County and surrounding counties.

The non-profit organization relies on donations and does not get local, statewide or federal funding. Among its biggest fundraisers is bingo three times a year, suppers, breakfasts, raffles, knife sales and HAMFESTs.

It also does the communications for the Half Marathon, Chick-Fil-A road race and the cross country races at the Wood County 4-H fairgrounds, among others.